Bake sale, biker raffle supports abused women, children awareness

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Debi Hamrick buys a cake from Briana English during a bake sell put on by various motorcycle organizations Saturday at the Cleveland County Mall to help raise money for the Cleveland County Abusive Prevention Council.

A bake sale was under way at the Cleveland County Mall Saturday afternoon in an effort to raise money for the Cleveland County Abuse Prevention Council Inc.

Proceeds would also go toward the council’s campaign to build a future shelter for abused women and children.

Cleveland County Independent Bikers (CCIB) and Concerned Bikers Association (CBA) partnered with the Wings of Eagles Ministry to host the event.

Darlene McIntyre-Fairchild with the CCIB and CBA couldn’t help but smile. The sale was also in memory of Wendy Panther who worked tirelessly to raise awareness for abused children in the county.

“This year means more to us because it’s in her memory,” she said. “Everything we made was out of love.”

Bikers also sold tickets to raffle off a 2013 Harley Davidson Motorcycle, donated by Rogers Automotive Group in Shelby.

“It’s just a good cause,” Rita Rogers said, vice president at Rogers. “We heard about the APC’s effort with the shelter and wanted to help.”

Last year, the bake sale raised around $1,000. Everything baked was sold.

More than $300 in sold baked goods, donations and raffle tickets were collected by noon.

Fundraising for a good cause

Tickets sold from the motorcycle raffle and bake sale will go toward the APC’s “Building Hope” initiative. The project seeks to build a new shelter/facility for the agency’s while relocating program services, such as counseling and education, under one roof, Cathy Robertson said, executive director for APC.

Robertson said many small and large projects happen each year to make the shelter a reality.

“It’s encouraging,” Robertson said about the fundraisers. “We have people who do small and large projects throughout the year. It will take a lot to get this going.”

Only 1,000 raffle tickets for the motorcycle are available for sale. Raffle tickets are $50 for one and three for $100.

Sixteen-year-old Briana English’s bunny ears bopped up and down as she helped customers who purchased baked goods and make donations. The R-S Central High School student is focusing her senior project around awareness about abused children.

“Since child abuse is such a tender subject, it’s good everyone wants to help,” she said about the bake sale.

Plans for the new shelter make it a little more than 9,000 square feet. The expansion will allow for more space, bedrooms and a playroom for children located on Wendover Heights Drive.

So far, APC has raised around $100,000 for the project. An additional $400,000 is still needed with help from loan, grants and fundraisers.